PRE-GAME
Coach Armstrong took a look around the bus shared by the Mustangs football team and cheer squad as it turned into the lot of the Denton High School Sports Complex. Espinosa had both defense and the offensive line all riled up. The cheer squad sat to one side. The girls donned ribbons sporting the team’s colors, and as promised, Peyton had painted Espy’s number on Mia’s cheek, JD’s number on Sondra’s. Ar sported a newish looking dark red mohawk, and though he’d never admit it, some members of the squad ventured a guess that he returned to school early just for the first game. He of course quickly dismissed any comments made about it in typical Ar fashion, and he also insisted on wearing his version of the cheer uniform, but he was a welcome addition. Lauren used a thumb to wipe a smudge from Wyatt’s neck from the painted on “W” on her cheek.
The team hit the lockers at the complex, even though most of the team had been suited up before boarding the bus, but a little locker time gave the team some extra time to get themselves rev’d up for the game. Some of the boys thumped on the door of the girl’s locker room, calling out for Behari and Lasseter, who quickly fell in with the rest of the team. Having coached co-ed sports for some time, Armstrong had all but done away with pep-talks as lads sat on wooden benches or pulled jersey’s over pads. Times changed, but he was more than willing to change with them, and he gathered the team around him.
"I’ll save the speeches for halftime.” He told them all. “But before we hit the field, know you should all be proud of yourselves. You worked hard, and I’m looking forward to seeing it pay off. So what do you say? Let’s show them how Westbrook plays football!!" He gave a few short blasts of his whistle. The team huddled around him, raising their hands in the air towards the center, joining in with their own chant.
"Beat Bohanan! BEAT BOHANAN! BREAK!"
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Outside of the tunnel:
“We are Mustangs!” The cheer squad called out, taking their spot on the field, right outside the tunnel. “We couldn’t be prouder! If you are a Mustang, shout a little louder!”
“Must-angs!” Came the cheer from the crowd. It wasn’t a huge crowd, mostly the Westbrook side consisted of students, nearby family of students, and the occasional straggler or two that no one could place, but they still made a decent amount of noise. Most of the students wore school colors, a few even painted their faces the school colors.
“Maroon and gray, all the way!”
Lauren, Sondra, Peyton and Mia formed two lines, pom-poms held way above their heads while Ar and Wyatt held the big round banner that the team was to break through. While the squad was on the field rallying the crowd, Coach Armstrong led the team from the lockers.
“All right, Mustangs, it’s go time.” Armstrong boomed as he took his first step onto the power suppressed field. The stadium lights flicked, the crowd roared with an intensity that matched the feelings of those waiting to take to the field. The Mustangs came out first. The voice from the overhead PA system cried out the words they were waiting to hear:
“Ladies and gentlemen - the Westbrook Mustangs!”
Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
If cheerleading was easy, they'd call it football.
-
Lorne Hazlewood
- Alumni
- Posts:1573
- Joined:Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:16 am
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
Lorne stood up in the bleachers and cheered as the team ran on to the field. He waved his small maroon and gray pennant and yelled out, "Let's go, Iron Horses!"
He looked at the person standing next to him. "This is awesome."
He looked at the person standing next to him. "This is awesome."
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
FIRST QUARTER:
Even though all games were played on the same field, this was technically an “away” game for the Mustangs. Henry Hawkins watched watched as the coin tossed landed on heads, meaning the Devils would receive first. He held his hand out to the quarterback of the Edwina Bohanan Blue Devils, with a smile.
“Good luck.” He told the other boy, as they shook hands. Before the opposing quarterback could shoot of a ‘you’ll need it’ comment, Hawkins added. “Lets have a great game!” He took his spot on the sidelines as Diya Behari and the defensive line took the field. Behari sprung up and down on her toes a few times before the whistle blew and the quarter began.
Behari sent the ball sailing and was received by Blue Devil’s #84 at their own 15 yard line. “Espy” Espinosa hit fast and strong, catching the Devil ten yards later, after he managed to squeak by the Mustangs Derrick Cork.
“That’s one!” Espy called, to no one in particular, sprinting back to the line. Towards the sidelines, Mia waved wildly as the squad called out a defensive cheer.
“You might be good at basketball
You might be good at track,
but when it comes to football
You might as well step back!
Go on
Step back
We’ll sack your quarterback.”
The mood slipped away on the very next play, however, when Bohanan’s quarterback, Eric Morrisey faked a hand off before laterally passing the ball to his fullback, Fernando Butera. Sondra clung to Ar’s arm as she watched. Most of the team was on their feet, fists clenched.
“DEFENSE!” The coach bellowed. “Move it!”
"DEFENSE!" The cheer squad echoed, as Butera started to snake through the Mustangs defense. Shanna Lasseter stood ready. She stood within yards of Butera as he approached, the two dancing side to side for a split second before Lasseter made her move, diving for the running backs midsection. But a third year veteran, Butera seemed to anticipate her move, sidestepping around the dive and continuing his drive towards the end zone. Espinosa was hot on his heels, but not quite quick enough to keep up with the Blue Devil who spiked the ball as he crossed the end zone. Butera pointed towards Espy with a sneer, calling out “That’s One!” before heading over to his own sidelines. The Devils placekicker, Jonah Kinzer sent the ball through the uprights despite the pressure of the approaching Mustangs linebackers, making the score 0-7 in favor of Edwina Bohanan.
"Good try, good try.” Armstrong said, clapping his hands together. “We’ll get it back.”
The Mustangs only managed a few yards from the punt, with JD Dumarr being ran out of bounds at the 20. Hank Hawkins clapped his hands as the offensive line took their positions. He reveled in the sight of the freshly cut grass with it's newly painted yard lines, and he took his place behind Walter “DeWalt” Hickson.
"Shake it off!" He called out. "Red Thirty Two! Red Thirty Two! Hut, Hut, Hike!" Hickson snapped the ball back, and Hawkins surveyed the field. A long toss would not only gain the team a first down, but boost their morale as well. He spied newcomer Matthew Quest waving from down the end zone and smiled. The nearest corner was closing in, but Quest was fast and had sure hands, especially now that he wouldn’t phase through the ball. Hawkins skipped back a few steps, and fired off the pass, watching as the spiral headed for its mark. The ball had just reached the boys fingertips when Blue Devil newcomer #22, Jed St. John roughly grabbed the receivers face mask, dragging Quest to the ground. The Mustangs team was on their feet as the cornerback gestured his disapproval when the whistle blew, the ref calling for a 15 yard penalty in favor of the Mustangs and an automatic first down. There was a brief exchange of words on the field, but Quest managed to maintain his level head, shrugging it off.
More bad news for the Mustangs on the next play, when Hawkins handed the ball off to veteran Chase Masters, who only managed minimal yards before being double boxed by the Devils defense.
Both sides refused to budge as the clock ran down ending the first quarter.
SCORE: BLUE DEVILS 7 MUSTANGS 0
Even though all games were played on the same field, this was technically an “away” game for the Mustangs. Henry Hawkins watched watched as the coin tossed landed on heads, meaning the Devils would receive first. He held his hand out to the quarterback of the Edwina Bohanan Blue Devils, with a smile.
“Good luck.” He told the other boy, as they shook hands. Before the opposing quarterback could shoot of a ‘you’ll need it’ comment, Hawkins added. “Lets have a great game!” He took his spot on the sidelines as Diya Behari and the defensive line took the field. Behari sprung up and down on her toes a few times before the whistle blew and the quarter began.
Behari sent the ball sailing and was received by Blue Devil’s #84 at their own 15 yard line. “Espy” Espinosa hit fast and strong, catching the Devil ten yards later, after he managed to squeak by the Mustangs Derrick Cork.
“That’s one!” Espy called, to no one in particular, sprinting back to the line. Towards the sidelines, Mia waved wildly as the squad called out a defensive cheer.
“You might be good at basketball
You might be good at track,
but when it comes to football
You might as well step back!
Go on
Step back
We’ll sack your quarterback.”
The mood slipped away on the very next play, however, when Bohanan’s quarterback, Eric Morrisey faked a hand off before laterally passing the ball to his fullback, Fernando Butera. Sondra clung to Ar’s arm as she watched. Most of the team was on their feet, fists clenched.
“DEFENSE!” The coach bellowed. “Move it!”
"DEFENSE!" The cheer squad echoed, as Butera started to snake through the Mustangs defense. Shanna Lasseter stood ready. She stood within yards of Butera as he approached, the two dancing side to side for a split second before Lasseter made her move, diving for the running backs midsection. But a third year veteran, Butera seemed to anticipate her move, sidestepping around the dive and continuing his drive towards the end zone. Espinosa was hot on his heels, but not quite quick enough to keep up with the Blue Devil who spiked the ball as he crossed the end zone. Butera pointed towards Espy with a sneer, calling out “That’s One!” before heading over to his own sidelines. The Devils placekicker, Jonah Kinzer sent the ball through the uprights despite the pressure of the approaching Mustangs linebackers, making the score 0-7 in favor of Edwina Bohanan.
"Good try, good try.” Armstrong said, clapping his hands together. “We’ll get it back.”
The Mustangs only managed a few yards from the punt, with JD Dumarr being ran out of bounds at the 20. Hank Hawkins clapped his hands as the offensive line took their positions. He reveled in the sight of the freshly cut grass with it's newly painted yard lines, and he took his place behind Walter “DeWalt” Hickson.
"Shake it off!" He called out. "Red Thirty Two! Red Thirty Two! Hut, Hut, Hike!" Hickson snapped the ball back, and Hawkins surveyed the field. A long toss would not only gain the team a first down, but boost their morale as well. He spied newcomer Matthew Quest waving from down the end zone and smiled. The nearest corner was closing in, but Quest was fast and had sure hands, especially now that he wouldn’t phase through the ball. Hawkins skipped back a few steps, and fired off the pass, watching as the spiral headed for its mark. The ball had just reached the boys fingertips when Blue Devil newcomer #22, Jed St. John roughly grabbed the receivers face mask, dragging Quest to the ground. The Mustangs team was on their feet as the cornerback gestured his disapproval when the whistle blew, the ref calling for a 15 yard penalty in favor of the Mustangs and an automatic first down. There was a brief exchange of words on the field, but Quest managed to maintain his level head, shrugging it off.
More bad news for the Mustangs on the next play, when Hawkins handed the ball off to veteran Chase Masters, who only managed minimal yards before being double boxed by the Devils defense.
Both sides refused to budge as the clock ran down ending the first quarter.
SCORE: BLUE DEVILS 7 MUSTANGS 0
If cheerleading was easy, they'd call it football.
-
Bronka Hajjar
- Former Member
- Posts:367
- Joined:Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:49 pm
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
Bronka sat quietly next to Lorne and tried to follow the sometimes perplexing game of American Football. At least, she was quiet until a Blue Devil fouled Matt on a sure catch.
"Book him!" she screamed, earning a few curious glances from the surrounding fans.
"Book him!" she screamed, earning a few curious glances from the surrounding fans.
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
SECOND QUARTER:
Chase Masters re-adjusted his mouth guard and mentally prepared for the upcoming play, the Mustangs having won the toss. JD Dummar jogged in place a few times to warm up his muscles, while Guillermo Espinsosa waved towards the stands and asked for vocal support. The Westbrook students obliged, especially after Ar Rawlings ran a double back flip tumble pass, and Wyatt Wyborn lifted Lauren Lombardi into a liberty tick-tock drop.
The Blue Devils set the ball in motion, as Dumarr caught the ball at the thirty, only to be shoved out of bounds near immediately.
"Good hands, good hands!" Hawkins yelled, calling the team together. "Blue Sixty-three!" He passed around to his nodding teammates.
DeWalt Hickson snapped the ball back, Hawkins spun and handed the ball off to Masters, then turned to fake a pass. Masters tucked the ball in tight, holding it close to his body as he began his dash across the field. The Devils closed in fast, but Winston Mitchell shoulder-checked into the Devils cornerback, clearing the way for Masters to gain a few more yards. Mike Jackson managed to take down the Devil’s safety just as the boy was about to make a dive at Masters. Chase barely crossed the midfield stripe before getting plowed into by a Blue Devil linebacker and the Mustangs were on their feet for the first down. The next two plays gained minimal yardage, the Blue Devils tightening their defense around the Mustangs running backs, boxing in Masters. Luckily, Matthew Quest managed to get himself open at the 40, and Hawkins let the ball fly. It would still be a trek for the newcomer Quest, but at least it would be a down.
The crowd cheered as Quest caught the ball over his shoulder, anyone close enough would actually be able to see the surprise in the boy’s face as if he didn’t expect to, and it took a split second before beginning his sprint towards the end zone.
“RUN!” The crowd called out.
“MATT!” Peyton and Sondra yelled, grabbing each others arms.
Two Bohanan guards trailed him, but they couldn’t keep up with the speedy receiver. Breaking away at the thirty five, Matt seemed to double time his sprint and ran the ball straight into the end zone, the Mustangs upstretching their arms before the ref even blew the whistle to indicate the play was good. Quest seemed in awe at the crowd's response, handing the ball off to the ref and giving a quick wave up to the girls on the cheer squad.
“You’re up Behari.” Espy called, tapping the girl on the shoulder pads for luck. “All you, you got this!”
“You kick like a girl!” Derrik Cork kidded, firing up the feisty placekicker.
"No shit, Sherlock" She shot back.
His words combined with Behari’s hours of practice paid off. The diminutive place kicker leaped up and down with the grace of a gymnast as her second kick of her career sailed through the crossbars, bringing the score 7-7.
“Just like a girl!” She mocked, skipping back to the sidelines and blowing him a kiss.
SCORE: BLUE DEVILS 7 MUSTANGS 7
Chase Masters re-adjusted his mouth guard and mentally prepared for the upcoming play, the Mustangs having won the toss. JD Dummar jogged in place a few times to warm up his muscles, while Guillermo Espinsosa waved towards the stands and asked for vocal support. The Westbrook students obliged, especially after Ar Rawlings ran a double back flip tumble pass, and Wyatt Wyborn lifted Lauren Lombardi into a liberty tick-tock drop.
The Blue Devils set the ball in motion, as Dumarr caught the ball at the thirty, only to be shoved out of bounds near immediately.
"Good hands, good hands!" Hawkins yelled, calling the team together. "Blue Sixty-three!" He passed around to his nodding teammates.
DeWalt Hickson snapped the ball back, Hawkins spun and handed the ball off to Masters, then turned to fake a pass. Masters tucked the ball in tight, holding it close to his body as he began his dash across the field. The Devils closed in fast, but Winston Mitchell shoulder-checked into the Devils cornerback, clearing the way for Masters to gain a few more yards. Mike Jackson managed to take down the Devil’s safety just as the boy was about to make a dive at Masters. Chase barely crossed the midfield stripe before getting plowed into by a Blue Devil linebacker and the Mustangs were on their feet for the first down. The next two plays gained minimal yardage, the Blue Devils tightening their defense around the Mustangs running backs, boxing in Masters. Luckily, Matthew Quest managed to get himself open at the 40, and Hawkins let the ball fly. It would still be a trek for the newcomer Quest, but at least it would be a down.
The crowd cheered as Quest caught the ball over his shoulder, anyone close enough would actually be able to see the surprise in the boy’s face as if he didn’t expect to, and it took a split second before beginning his sprint towards the end zone.
“RUN!” The crowd called out.
“MATT!” Peyton and Sondra yelled, grabbing each others arms.
Two Bohanan guards trailed him, but they couldn’t keep up with the speedy receiver. Breaking away at the thirty five, Matt seemed to double time his sprint and ran the ball straight into the end zone, the Mustangs upstretching their arms before the ref even blew the whistle to indicate the play was good. Quest seemed in awe at the crowd's response, handing the ball off to the ref and giving a quick wave up to the girls on the cheer squad.
“You’re up Behari.” Espy called, tapping the girl on the shoulder pads for luck. “All you, you got this!”
“You kick like a girl!” Derrik Cork kidded, firing up the feisty placekicker.
"No shit, Sherlock" She shot back.
His words combined with Behari’s hours of practice paid off. The diminutive place kicker leaped up and down with the grace of a gymnast as her second kick of her career sailed through the crossbars, bringing the score 7-7.
“Just like a girl!” She mocked, skipping back to the sidelines and blowing him a kiss.
SCORE: BLUE DEVILS 7 MUSTANGS 7
If cheerleading was easy, they'd call it football.
-
Black Solace
- Former Member
- Posts:53
- Joined:Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:56 am
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
Trying to find JD on the field, Sondra missed seeing Matt's catch, but she cheered along with Peyton as the speedy reciever dashed into the end zone.
"He'll rule the field and pass the test, nothing phases Maaaaatttt... QUEST!!!"
"He'll rule the field and pass the test, nothing phases Maaaaatttt... QUEST!!!"
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
HALFTIME
The Mustang crowd was decently sized despite it technically being an away game. Jeremy was gone, and his enthusiasm sorely missed, but Ar had come back. Peyton could cover for Jeremy, knowing his tumble passes well enough, but Ar and Sondra worked their tails off for this routine. No one could compensate for either.
“Hey Hey are ya Ready? Are ya Ready
Get fired up, get fired up!
Mustangs! Are! Dynamite!
Don't mess with dynamite!
If you mess with us we go
Tick, tick, tick, tick,
Boom Dynamite
Boom Boom Dynamite”
The squad had given their music file to the announcer’s booth, and Peyton had used her ‘Emergency” credit card for a little something special, a professional re-mix complete with the team name, and each of their names in that pump-you-up echo voice she remembered so well from competitions. It went in perfect sync with their backflip handsprings before the mix of music began for the dance routine.
Sondra and Ar were on fire, Ar’s elevator lifts and two tosses were spot on, as was Sondra’s grace and picture perfect heel stretch bow and arrow. Wyatt, Mia and Peyton launched Lauren into a toe touch that wound up being more of a layout, but from the crowd’s reaction, Peyton was sure no one noticed. The whole squad rocked to the music, ending with a modified pyramid, with Mia at the center.
****************************************************************************************************************************************
Back in the locker, the Coach rallied the team.
“I told you they’d push!” He called. “We need to push back harder. Don’t let up! We got this! Who are we?”
“MUSTANGS!
If cheerleading was easy, they'd call it football.
-
Galactic Halo
- Former Member
- Posts:28
- Joined:Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:04 am
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
Chase was fired up. The blood was boiling and his heart was racing. He was back in the game. The adrenaline surged through his spine like a bucket of ice water that only made him want to go harder, push further, and stiff-arm that annoying Outside Linebacker so hard that his head spun. Unable to get rid of his old habit, he went around the locker room, giving words of encouragement to everyone he could. Espy was first, who Chase simply grabbed by the pads and yelled at excitedly.
"Get some Espy! Get some!" Chase roared, bashing his chest against the larger boy's. "Show them how you do it in Miami!"
"Get some Espy! Get some!" Chase roared, bashing his chest against the larger boy's. "Show them how you do it in Miami!"
WWTD?
-
Diya Behari
- Former Member
- Posts:211
- Joined:Tue May 17, 2011 1:55 pm
- Contact:
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
In the locker room, Diya couldn't keep the grin off her face. She'd done it! She'd made a kick! It wasn't quite as exhilarating as getting 10s from the judges, and they hadn't won the gold medal yet, but already Diya - or just Behari as she was known on the field - was sure she'd made the right decision joining the team.
-
Brodi Andrews
- Former Member
- Posts:522
- Joined:Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:43 pm
Re: Mustangs Vs. The Blue Devils 9/9/11
By the time Brodi had pulled his car into the parking lot, Faige and he had miss the first half. Actually, in truth, he had been surprised they got here this early. So, upon finding a parking space, grabbing a water, and then snagging a few seats in the back, the Half Time Show had already began it's final routine. Brodi tilted his head to the side as he looked down at the field before tossing a glance up towards the speakers playing the music.
"Hey... you guys don't got a marching band?" He asked to Faige as he sipped from his water.
Faige looked around the field before just shrugging her shoulders. "I guess there wasn't a need for one. Why?"
Brodi continued to watch the field for a second or two before finally forming a grin. He leaned to the side and had to shout to be heard over the hollering from the students around him. "I don't know. Can't play football to save my life. I don't look good with pom-poms either." He turned his focus back towards the speakers before finishing. "But music? I got that in spades."
He smiled towards Faige and was greeting with one of her own. Plotting was commencing.
"Hey... you guys don't got a marching band?" He asked to Faige as he sipped from his water.
Faige looked around the field before just shrugging her shoulders. "I guess there wasn't a need for one. Why?"
Brodi continued to watch the field for a second or two before finally forming a grin. He leaned to the side and had to shout to be heard over the hollering from the students around him. "I don't know. Can't play football to save my life. I don't look good with pom-poms either." He turned his focus back towards the speakers before finishing. "But music? I got that in spades."
He smiled towards Faige and was greeting with one of her own. Plotting was commencing.
Last edited by Brodi Andrews on Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests